TOPSHAM, Devon

Topsham is a unique town on the Exe estuary, Devon, just three miles from Exeter in England's West country. Loved by its locals, and savoured by those who visit. Topsham offers breathtaking river walks, independent shops, antiques and galleries, restaurants and pubs, or just a beautiful space to stop on your bike ride and watch the boats go by with a pint.

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First documented as a Roman settlement, Topsham was granted a Charter as a town on 22nd August 1300 by Edward I, developing into a major British port and shipbuilding centre that in its heyday rivalled London. There are Dutch houses from this maritime past, and fine examples of Georgian and Edwardian architecture. In the year 2000 we celebrated our 700th year, when the Queen visited and went to a pub for the first time!

Topsham - a short history - a valuable link exploring information on the town including the history of its pubs, street names and buildings.

Topsham Museum Devon Museums official site
GENUKI, Topsham Historical resources for Topsham and its genealogy.
Diary of Phyllis Bethel - wartime diary published in blog form: "From Wiesbaden Germany 1929 to Topsham, Devon, Great Britain 1953".
Topsham community page Brief history at the Devon Libraries Local Studies Service site.
Old Maps click the Maps link and enter "topsham" (without quotes) in the search box. This leads to historical maps from the late 19th century onward.
Topsham 1841 Census From GENUKI, churchwarden's census of "a Portion of the Labouring Population".
Topsham, Devon, through time Topsham at the Vision of Britain historical gazetteer.
Topsham School hosts a short history of the First School and the Parkfield Road site (both now redeveloped as residential) plus extracts from School logbooks
Topsham Quay At the SWMHS site, David Wheeler's recollections of Topsham around 1970 in its last days as a working cargo port.
Topsham railways Extremely nice history and photos at Alex Seal's Alextrack website.
The Devil's Footprints Charles Hoy Fort's compilation of contemporary references about a classic peculiar event in 1855.
The Bridge Inn's Royal Visit HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Wigzell's Spiral Fluted Nails - the story behind the name "Wixels".